People may take for granted just how easy it is to charge their mobile devices. As frustrating as it can be to forget a phone charger before a long trip or event, most people still have the capability to easily charge their phones in a pinch. That’s not always so easy in developing countries, where access to a strong power grid isn’t available. Little Sun, a German company that focuses on solar-powered products for developing countries, has created a solar power bank for rural areas of Africa, according to Inverse.
The company raised more than $300,000 on Kickstarter for the Little Sun Charge, which it will distribute in Sub-Saharan Africa, where many people don’t have access to large power grids.
“In Ethiopia, for instance, we have seen firsthand the essential need for quality phone chargers in communities off-grid,” said Olafur Eliasson, co-founder of Little Sun, in a video.
Little Sun also created solar-powered lamps to be a clean alternative to kerosene lanterns, which are commonly used for light in these areas off of power grids. Kerosene lamps emit a dangerous smoke and pose a fire hazard.
While Little Sun distributed lamps, people asked the company about ways to charge their phones, on which many depend for safety. The company began testing prototypes of the Little Sun Charge in Zimbabwe last year.
The Little Sun Charge can clip onto a backpack for transportation, and includes a panel of solar cells on the back and a universal USB port. With an L.E.D. light on the front, it can also double as a lamp.
For more information on Little Sun, visit www.littlesun.com.
